Palliative Care Week ‘You, Me and Palliative Care’
9th September 2024
Over half (56%) of adults in the Republic of Ireland feel fearful when they hear the term palliative care. The finding is from a new survey of the public’s perceptions of palliative care commissioned by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) for Palliative Care Week (8-14 September 2024).
The survey of 1,000 people in the Republic of Ireland carried out in July 2024, also highlighted a number of the positive perceptions that exist about palliative care:
•Nearly 8 in 10 (79%) adults think palliative care also supports the family and carers of someone with a life-limiting condition
•7 in 10 (71%) adults think palliative care can benefit people over long periods and not just end of life
•Over 6 in 10 (65%) adults think palliative care will help them to make decisions about their future care
•Almost 8 in 10 (78%) adults feel reassured that palliative care could help them or someone close to them
The theme of this year’s Palliative Care Week is ≠ This was chosen following collaboration with AIIHPC’s members and the wider palliative care sector. It reflects the commitment of AIIHPC and its member organisations to emphasise the message that palliative care affects us all, and the importance of community in the provision of palliative care services and supports.
With this theme in mind, a first of its kind all-island event will take place today in Newry. The Compassionate Communities in Palliative and End of Life Care Conference is targeted at the public and aims to promote a compassionate response from communities to support people with palliative care needs including at the end of life and bereavement supports for families and friends.
AIIHPC CEO, Karen Charnley, said: “We see from our research that there is still a lot of apprehension around palliative care. It is understandable as thinking about potentially needing to avail of palliative care support for ourselves or those closest to us is difficult, but
during Palliative Care Week, we are encouraging individuals and communities to learn more about how palliative care supports quality of life of people with life-limiting conditions by meeting their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs.
We want to promote a greater understanding of the supports available in communities across the island of Ireland as people being informed about palliative care will make it easier for them to access the services on offer and make decisions about their own care and that of those close to them.”
An Taoiseach, Simon Harris said:
“This year’s theme of ‘You, Me and Palliative Care’ perfectly captures the fact that most people will experience palliative care for themselves or their closest loved ones at some point in their lifetime.
I am not one bit surprised by the overwhelmingly positive sentiment uncovered by the independent research and know the network of professionals, organisations and hospices working in palliative care throughout our country are simply extraordinary. The research also offers an insight into the hesitation many feel around the term palliative care so it’s important to use this week to highlight the spiritual, physical, emotional and family benefits of care that supports people with life-limiting conditions.”
Dr Feargal Twomey, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Clinical Lead for the National Clinical Programme for Palliative Care, HSE said:
“For me, the most important feature of Palliative Care Week is the opportunity it presents to promote public awareness and understanding about what palliative care is, and to reduce fear and misunderstanding about dying, death and bereavement.”
This Palliative Care Week, people are encouraged to learn more about palliative care and its benefits by visiting thepalliativehub.com for more information.” You can follow the campaign on Twitter @AIIHPC #pallcareweek.
Pictured Launching Palliative Care Week 2024 – ‘You, Me and Palliative Care’ – are Taoiseach Simon Harris, Karen Charnley, CEO of the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC), and Fintan Fagan, Chair of AIIHPC. (Pic Maxwells Dublin).
